Working safely during coronavirus: home cleaning

Background

Housekeep is a technology provider connecting clients and cleaners in the UK home cleaning industry.
Housekeep helps clients find trusted, local cleaners whilst assisting those cleaners with finding dense, local client routes.
Over 1,000,000 cleans have been completed through the platform.

Introduction

Housekeep is committed to ensuring the safety of all our community, including our customers, our Housekeepers and our staff

We’ve worked alongside the Government, including Public Health England and the Health & Safety Executive,
to draft safety guidelines for work in people’s homes (published here)

We’ve also consulted with customers and Housekeepers to gather their input

We’re committed to transparency and are publishing a specific COVID-19 risk assessment for cleaning in homes,
which is in additional to other risk and health & safety measures we take

We’ve published a summary version of these guidelines to customers and to Housekeepers, plus provided a link to this detailed guidance

We’ve sought to use references to avoid repetition and to make this easy for anyone to read and understand

We will update this risk assessment regularly based on updated government or public health guidance

Thinking about risk

Section

Government guidance

Housekeep mitigating guidelines & actions

1.0

Objective: To reduce risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures, in order of priority

We’ve carried out this risk assessment and sought to reduce risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures.
We’re also sharing this risk assessment with customers, Housekeepers and publicly, and inviting comments.

1.1.1

No work should be carried out in a household which is isolating because one or more family members has symptoms or where an individual has been advised to shield - unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household.

Customers & Housekeepers should skip cleans or pause their account if anybody in their home has coronavirus symptoms, has been advised to self-isolate, or has been advised to shield.

1.1.2

When working in a household where somebody is clinically vulnerable, but has not been asked to shield, for example, the home of someone over 70, prior arrangements should be made with vulnerable people to avoid any face-to-face contact, for example, when answering the door.
You should be particularly strict about handwashing, coughing and sneezing hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth and disposing of single-use tissues.

Vulnerable customers can only book cleans if they have not been advised to shield (i.e. they’re not extremely clinically vulnerable).

Vulnerable customers should take extra care in observing social distancing, for example isolating themselves to a single room while their Housekeeper is working, or scheduling the clean for a time when they are not at home.

1.1.3

Washing your hands more often than usual for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose.

Housekeepers should thoroughly wash their hands with warm water & soap for 20 seconds, before, during and after their cleans, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing their nose.

1.1.4

Reducing the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue and throw the tissue in a bin immediately, then wash your hands.

Housekeepers should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not their hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Housekeepers should put used tissues in a covered bin immediately, then wash their hands with warm water & soap for 20 seconds.

1.1.5

Cleaning regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

Housekeepers should pay extra attention to 'high-touch' areas, such as; door and cupboard handles, light switches, TV remotes, tables, countertops.
These surfaces should be cleaned using regular products, then disinfected using a product that 'kills 99.9% of germs' such as Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleaner Spray.

Housekeepers should use warm water (not hot or cold) when cleaning surfaces and mopping floors, to maximise the effectiveness of cleaning products.

Housekeepers and customers can communicate directly using the chat or call features in the customer’s online account and the Housekeeper App.
They can also communicate with head office through digital channels including chat and email.

1.1.7

Maintaining social distance as far as possible.

Customers and Housekeepers should maintain social distancing of 2 metres at all times.

Where possible, customers should stay in another room while their Housekeeper is working, or schedule the clean for a time when they are not at home.

1.2

Share your risk assessment

We have done this via email, our website and this page.

Who should go to work

Section

Government guidance

Housekeep mitigating guidelines & actions

2.0

Objective: That everyone should work from home, unless they cannot work from home.

Housekeepers cannot practically work from home.

2.0.1

Finding digital or remote alternatives to physical, in-home work where possible such as video or phone consultations

Not applicable

2.0.2

Discussing working environment and practices with householders and clients in advance to confirm how the work will be carried out, if a physical visit is needed

See 1.1.6

2.0.3

Employers and agencies should keep in touch with workers, who they might usually meet with face-to-face, on their working arrangements including their welfare, mental and physical health and personal security

Housekeep will send regular updates on working arrangements and ways of working to both Housekeepers and customers.

Housekeepers can contact Housekeep via telephone, chat or email anytime if they need support, whether about work, mental health or any other aspect of their wellbeing.

Housekeep is also proactively reaching out to gather feedback individually and collectively. Further, we are providing advice about support schemes that might be available, such as the SEISS, Universal Credit and ESA.

Housekeep will use simple, clear messaging to explain guidelines to Housekeepers and customers.

Provide support for workers around mental health and wellbeing.
This could include guidance or telephone support.

See current guidance for advice on who is in the shielding and clinically vulnerable groups

We are asking Housekeepers to pause working and not attend cleans if they are clinically vulnerable, clinically extremely vulnerable, shielding or need to self-isolate, or if anyone in their home is in such a group.

See 2.0.3 for support we’re providing to Housekeepers.

2.2

Objective: To make sure individuals who are advised to stay at home under existing government guidance do not physically come to work. This includes individuals who have symptoms of coronavirus as well as those who live in a household with someone who has symptoms.

Enabling workers to work from home while self-isolating if appropriate

See current guidance for employers and employees relating to statutory sick pay due to coronavirus

See current guidance for people who have symptoms and those who live with others who have symptoms

See 2.1 and 2.0.3

2.3.1

Objective: To treat everyone in your workplace equally

Understanding and taking into account the particular circumstances of those with different protected characteristics

Involving and communicating appropriately with workers whose protected characteristics might either expose them to a different degree of risk, or might make any steps you are thinking about inappropriate or challenging for them

Considering whether you need to put in place any particular measures or adjustments to take account of your duties under the equalities legislation

Making reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers being put at a disadvantage, and assessing the health and safety risks for new or expectant mother

Making sure that the steps you take do not have an unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to others, for example, those with caring responsibilities or those with religious commitments

We treat everyone in our community with respect and fairness. We do not gather much of this special category data so do not see any additional discrimination risks here.

Social distancing at work

Section

Government guidance

Housekeep mitigating guidelines & actions

3.0

Objective: To maintain 2m social distancing wherever possible, including arriving at and departing from work, while in work, and when travelling between sites.

Housekeep is recommending that cleans only go ahead where social distancing can be maintained, and that Housekeepers seek to travel by private transport. Housekeepers typically work in single-person teams. Further details are below.

3.1

Objective: To maintain social distancing wherever possible, including on arrival and departure and to ensure handwashing upon arrival.

See below.

3.1.1

Consider travelling to sites alone using your own transport, where insurance allows

Housekeep’s technology helps Housekeepers to find local clients, minimising travel time. We recommend walking, cycling or driving to clients, and where public transport is necessary; to avoid peak travel times. Our technology is also asking customers to choose flexible time slots which allows Housekeepers to avoid peak travel times.

Housekeepers should use a face covering if they do use public transport.

Housekeepers attending recurring cleans and normal one-off visits, work individually. Housekeepers should not take any other person (including children) with them to cleans, unless agreed with their customer.

3.1.2

If workers have no option but to travel together, for example delivery teams, the following should be encouraged:

Housekeepers typically work and work in single-person teams. There are some occasions, such as via deep cleaning partners, where teams might work together. See below for details.

3.1.2.1

Journeys should be with the same individuals and limited in the number of people travelling per vehicle.

When travelling to deep cleans, partners should minimise team size and limit the number of people travelling per vehicle, travelling separately where possible.

3.1.2.2

Maintaining good ventilation, for example keeping windows open and passengers facing away from one another to reduce risk of transmission.

When travelling to deep cleans in vehicles, partners should open vehicle windows for ventilation, and do their best to observe social distancing, including facing away from one another where possible.

3.1.2.3

Vehicles regularly cleaned using gloves and standard cleaning products, with emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces.

Housekeepers or deep cleaning partners should travel to cleans in their own vehicle, and should regularly clean it using gloves and standard cleaning products, with an emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces.

3.1.2.4

Where possible, employers or agencies should match workers to households local to them to minimise transportation.

When customers book a regular clean, they are matched with the same local Housekeeper for every visit.

3.1.2.5

Wash hands on arrival and maintain social distancing when entering the home.

See 1.1.3

3.2

Objective: To maintain social distancing wherever possible while performing work in the home.

See below. These points have been communicated to customers and to Housekeepers, plus are integrated in email notifications, the Housekeeper App and the customer online account.

3.2.1

Discussing with households ahead of a visit to ask that a 2m distance is kept from those working, if possible.

See 1.1.7.

3.2.2

Asking that households leave all internal doors open to minimise contact with door handles.

Customers should leave all internal doors open to minimise Housekeeper contact with door handles.

3.2.3

Identifying busy areas across the household where people travel to, from or through, for example, stairs and corridors, and minimising movement within these areas.

Customers and Housekeepers should minimise movement in corridors and stairs while the Housekeeper is working.

3.2.4

Bringing your own food and drink to households and having breaks outside where possible.

Housekeepers should bring their own food and drink to cleans, and take any breaks outside where possible.

3.2.5

Limiting the number of workers within a confined space to maintain social distancing.

See 3.1.2

3.2.6

Using a fixed pairing system if people have to work in close proximity. For example, during two-person assembly or maintenance.

See 3.1.2

3.2.7

Allocating the same workers to a household where jobs are repetitive. Employers and agencies should introduce fixed pairing to have the same individuals allocated to a household where jobs are repetitive in nature.

See 3.1.2.4

3.3

Objective: To reduce transmission due to face-to-face meetings and maintain social distancing in meetings.

See below.

3.3.1

Using remote working tools to avoid in-person appointments.

Not applicable.

3.3.2

Only absolutely necessary participants should attend appointments and should maintain 2m separation where possible.

See 1.1.7 & 3.1.2.4

3.3.3

Avoiding transmission during appointments, for example, from sharing pens and other objects.

Customers and Housekeepers should wash their hands before and after handling any cleaning products provided by the customer, including; sprays, cloths, vacuum cleaners & mops.

Housekeepers and customers should open windows where possible and turn on extractor fans for ventilation.

3.4

Objective: To prioritise safety during incidents.

In an emergency, customers and Housekeepers do not have to stay 2 metres apart if it would be unsafe. They should pay particular attention to sanitation measures immediately afterwards, including washing hands.

Interacting with householders

Section

Government guidance

Housekeep mitigating guidelines & actions

4.0

Objective: To make sure people understand what they need to do to maintain safety.

If you are an employer or agency, providing your workers with information about how to operate safely in people’s homes

Communicating with households prior to arrival, and on arrival, to ensure the household understands the social distancing and hygiene measures that should be followed once work has commenced.

See this document, and particularly 1.1.6

Cleaning the work area

Section

Government guidance

Housekeep mitigating guidelines & actions

5.0

Objective: To keep work areas in a home clean and prevent transmission by touching contaminated surfaces.

Housekeepers are in the home to conduct this cleaning.

5.1.1

Objective: To keep work areas in a home clean and prevent transmission by touching contaminated surfaces.

Frequent cleaning of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your usual cleaning products.

Arranging methods of safely disposing waste with the householder.

Removing all waste and belongings from the work area at the end of a shift and at the end of a job.

If you are cleaning after a known or suspected case of coronavirus then you should refer to the specific guidance.

See 1.1.5

Customers should ensure that the ‘cleaning instructions’ in their online account are up to date, including the location of the bins.
At the end of a clean, Housekeepers should dispose of the household waste in the location stated in their App. Housekeepers should also ensure they take all belongings with them.

Customers should book a deep clean after a known or suspected case of coronavirus, and should make Housekeep aware of the possible contamination at the time of booking.
Housekeep will send a specialist team for these cleans.

5.2.1

Objective: To help everyone keep good hygiene through the working day.

Washing your hands more often than usual for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose.

Reducing the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands. Throw the tissue in a bin immediately, then wash your hands.

Cleaning regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

If handwashing facilities are not accessible, you should carry hand sanitiser.

See 1.1.3, 1.1.4 & 1.1.5.

Where no handwashing facilities are available (e.g. on public transport), we recommend Housekeepers should carry and use hand sanitiser.

5.3.1

Objective: To reduce transmission through contact with objects that come into or are removed from the home.

Ensuring social distancing and hygiene measures are followed when supplies or tools are needed to be delivered to a home, for example building supplies.

Collecting materials in bulk to reduce the frequency of needing to visit shops to buy or collect materials.

Removing waste in bulk if possible.

Customers or Housekeepers should sanitise spare keys where they are being transferred from one party to another. Otherwise, not applicable.

PPE and face coverings

Section

Government guidance

Housekeep mitigating guidelines & actions

6.0

Workplaces should not encourage the precautionary use of extra PPE to protect against COVID-19 outside clinical settings or when responding to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

Unless you are in a situation where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is very high, your risk assessment should reflect the fact that the role of PPE in providing additional protection is extremely limited.
However, if your risk assessment does show that PPE is required, then you must provide this PPE free of charge to workers who need it. Any PPE provided must fit properly.

Housekeepers should remove shoes, or wear shoe covers when at cleans, and should use disposable or machine washable gloves when at cleans.
Disposable gloves and shoe covers are available for free from the Housekeep office.

6.1

Wearing a face covering is optional and is not required by law, including in the workplace.
If you choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off.

Employers should support their workers in using face coverings safely if they choose to wear one.
This means telling workers:

wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on, and after removing it

when wearing a face covering, avoid touching your face or face covering, as you could contaminate them with germs from your hands

change your face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it

continue to wash your hands regularly

change and wash your face covering daily

if the material is washable, wash in line with manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s not washable, dispose of it carefully in your usual waste

practise social distancing wherever possible

Housekeepers are encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces, when it is not possible to practice social distancing, such as on public transport. Social distancing should be observed at cleans, so Housekeepers do not need to wear face covering during the clean. Housekeepers can wear a face covering during the clean if they prefer.

We’re directly passing on the government’s advice on face coverings to Housekeepers.

Workforce management

Section

Government guidance

Housekeep mitigating guidelines & actions

7.1

Objective: To change the way work is organised to create distinct groups and reduce the number of contacts each worker has.

Where multiple workers are in a home, creating fixed teams of workers who carry out their duties in those teams, and minimising contact between each team

Identifying areas where people need to hand things to each other (such as shared tools and domestic appliances) and finding ways to remove direct contact, for example, by using drop-off points or transfer zones

Allocating the same worker to the same household each time there is a visit, for example, the same cleaner each time

See 3.1 for details.

When required, Housekeep will schedule in-office key transfers in such a way that Housekeepers can avoid rush-hour traffic, and minimise contact with other Housekeepers.

When Housekeepers are booked for an in-office key transfer, they should attend this transfer at the scheduled time.

7.2

Objective: To avoid unnecessary work-related travel and keep workers safe when they do need to travel between homes.